By Robbie Sefton, 24 November 2023. The Murray-Darling Basin is one of the most agriculturally, environmentally and culturally significant systems in Australia, but unfortunately, it’s also one of the most fraught when it comes to its management and the competing interests that underpin policy priorities and decisions. I grew up on an irrigation farm in Deniliquin and now own a dryland farm ...
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Australian farmers have had their say, now it’s up to us to listen
By Robbie Sefton. "Agriculture is not only food production, but also an important pillar of rural economic and social development. The development of the agricultural industry chain will drive rural employment opportunities and economic growth, and promote the sustainable development of rural areas." This is just one example of hundreds of comments that emerged from the first National Farmer ...
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Lamb producers feel pain of falling prices, but little impact on retail price prompts tough questions
By Robbie Sefton. What a difference a few years make. This time two years ago, Australian sheep and lamb producers were enjoying record high prices at the saleyards, but since the start of 2023, prices have dropped alarmingly, falling by between 60 and 80 per cent and leaving many producers considering their options, particularly as drier conditions start to bite in many regions. The only ...
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National Farmer Priorities Survey Released
3 September 2023 1,600 farmers from across Australia have had their say in the first National Farmer Priorities Survey.Industry sentiment is deteriorating with 1 in 3 farmers less positive about the future of farming than they were 12 months ago.Farmers are worried about a wide range of policy pressures, with market fairness, environment laws and infrastructure funding topping the list.A ...
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Industry making strides towards net-zero commitment but outreach and support critical for farmers embarking on the journey
By Robbie Sefton. Late last year it was widely reported that almost half of Australia’s ASX200-listed companies had made a net-zero commitment. And, increasingly, more industries are committing to this target, and at the grass-roots level, individual businesses – and even households – are striving to bring down emissions. ‘Net zero’ is a term that has come a long way in less than a
decade, ...
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Farmers’ voice to be heard with launch of national survey
Farmers
across Australia are urged to have their say on the issues that matter to them
and the agricultural sector via the National Farmer Priorities Survey, launched
today. Spearheaded by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) in
partnership with communications and advisory firm Seftons, the survey will be a
pulse-check on the opportunities and challenges facing farmers and the ...
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The future of agriculture is now and our young people want a seat at the table
By Robbie Sefton. There are no shortage of reports finding their way into the public sphere in any given week. They often serve as a mirror held up to the face of society to show how things are, where potential problems lie, and hopefully consider a way toward a better future. Inevitably they can make for some pretty grim reading at times. Not so for one report brought to my attention, ...
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No time to lose in race to address current ‘public health crisis’ for Australia’s youth
By Robbie Sefton. When Professor Patrick McGorry - the internationally-renowned
psychiatrist who has advocated tirelessly on youth mental health and was
Australian of the Year in 2010 for his work in this area – warns we are not
doing enough for young Australians with mental health issues, we need to
listen. Professor McGorry has co-authored a paper on the current
situation, and what we need ...
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Cost of robust biosecurity measures must be shared equitably
By Robbie Sefton. Biosecurity has again been in the news of late with ongoing concerns around varroa mite in NSW bee populations, and Northern Rivers prawn fishers faced with a disease thought to have arrived in Australia via imported prawns. It only highlights our nation’s vulnerability to pests and diseases from overseas and the devastating impacts on our local industries and producers. ...
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Traditional values of fairness and authenticity must endure in the face of uncertainty and opposition
There’s a question I’ve been grappling with recently,
and that’s around a quality I think all Australians feel is at the heart of our
national identity. That is the idea of the ‘fair go’ and whether we as a
community are living up to this concept that all of us should be treated equally?
From the conversations I’m having, and those that are dominating our headlines,
it feels to me that as a ...
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New job vacancies report a fresh reminder of need for increased focus on regional growth
By Robbie Sefton. There are not enough medical professionals in regional
areas. This will come as no surprise to anyone who lives in the regions – it’s
been the case for some time and often makes navigating the health system that
much harder and more frustrating. But, we now no just how dire the situation is
and what may come as a bit of a surprise is the extent of these shortages. Thanks ...
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National Volunteers Week, May 15 to 21: how can you help make a change for the better?
Baking a cake for the school fete, becoming a member of the local CWA or RFS branch, cooking the barbecue at the annual campdraft or manning the counter at the nearest op shop - volunteering comes in a myriad of forms and means many things to many people. But the one indisputable fact is that our communities could not exist without volunteers, and even if they could, they'd be very different ...
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New research findings should drive informed, effective recruitment campaigns beyond our city limits.
By Robbie Sefton. Rural
industries are crying out for workers – this is not a revelation by any means,
it’s been an issue for a long time. But what has recently come to light is interesting
new research that has shone a light on at least some of the reasons why this
may be, and it provides something of a road map for the agriculture, fisheries
and forestry industries to help attract and, ...
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No easy fix to healthcare concerns but long-term solutions may be closer to home than we think
By Robbie Sefton. With the next State Election just around the corner, our
thoughts are on the issues that impact each of us the most. And geography
certainly plays a part in this. The priorities of rural and regional NSW
communities will always be a bit different to those in metropolitan areas, and
the further away you are from a major city, the more acute those issues become. Health is ...
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Night out at the movies could be thing of the past without timely investment and support.
By Robbie Sefton. I have fond memories of the movie theatre in Deniliquin, the
rural town where I grew up. It was a place for nights out with my family, or
for a catch-up with friends, where maybe the odd Jaffa was even rolled down the
then-timber aisles. It really was a social hub for the whole community, and a
bit of an occasion even; something you looked forward to all week and while ...
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Agriculture is a land of opportunities, but is a long game super funds are currently reluctant to play.
By Robbie Sefton. Agriculture in Australia has certainly been kicking goals in
recent years and it’s no secret the opportunities for investment in this
growing sector have proved attractive for foreign investors, including overseas
retirement funds. But, it seems, not so much for domestic funds. It appears the
reasons for this are many and varied – and potentially quite complex – but
ultimately ...
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National day as much about reflection as it is about celebrating success.
By Robbie Sefton. For 10 years I was on the National Australia Day Council, helping oversee the selection process for our Australians of the Year, an enormous honour and privilege. Today, as my own Australia Day honour sinks in, I’m inevitably more aware than I’ve ever been of the significance of today, particularly given the debate around the date of our national day. I have
always been an ...
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Annual insight into ag industry reveals stats and trends but also speaks to resilience, innovation of farmers
By Robbie Sefton. Australia’s annual agricultural report card has just been
released and once again it provides some interesting reading around where the
industry is currently placed, as well as an appreciation of just how far we’ve
come. From a broader, overall perspective, the ABARES Snapshot of Australian
Agriculture 2022 – follow the link here
- reveals Australian ag accounts for 55 per ...
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Primitive thinking risks stifling growth and development of rural communities
‘The world is run by those who show up’. A famous quote and
right on the money. These people may not be the smartest, or most articulate,
or most visionary, but they stand up when it matters, have the courage of their
convictions and are willing to do the hard work to succeed. Sadly too though,
they may also be the ones with the thickest skins, best able to withstand
frequent and often unwarranted ...
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Stakes are high in race to bring feral animal populations down, and all landholders must play their part
By Robbie Sefton. Farmers are among the most innovative when it comes to
devising solutions or strategies for challenges facing their business, but
there are obviously times when the issue is so large, and so widespread, that
it needs much more than a single farmer can hope to do. The crushing blows
exploding feral pig numbers are dealing to the agriculture industry at present
is alarming, but ...
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New world of ESG has its challenges, but our agriculture industry can’t afford not to be on board
By Robbie Sefton. ESG is an acronym that’s increasingly
common in our vernacular, but one that many may still not be too conversant
with. Did you mean ECG? No, but like an electrocardiogram that tests the
condition of the heart, ESG conveys its own conclusions around the vitality and
viability of a business or company, and by extension, an industry or even
national economy. It stands for ...
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Challenges facing our nation need ‘everyday’ leaders to help show the way
By Robbie Sefton. 13 October 2022 When Australia had the opportunity to send 10 ‘everyday’
Australians, from every state and territory, to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth
II late last month, a quick decision had to be made on the attendees. It was
decided the list of these attendees would largely be comprised of current and
former Australians of the Year, providing a diverse group of ...
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Following a pathway to prosperity via rural and regional Australia
By Robbie Sefton. 22 September 2022 I had the pleasure of attending the Regional Australia Institute's (RAI) Regions Rising National Summit in Canberra last week, which this year focused its attention on launching Regionalisation Ambition 2032 - a Framework to Rebalance the Nation. An enormous goal, with big ideas, but entirely what is needed for our country post-COVID-19 and as we look to ...
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Value of regional field days can’t be underestimated as communities enjoy the financial and social spoils
Everywhere you look, it seems – little by little – our nation
is emerging from the COVID haze. I’m reluctant to describe it as ‘returning to
normal’, because as so many have already said, what is ‘normal’ now a few years
down the track from the start of the pandemic. A return to the ‘familiar’ may
be more like it and if you were fortunate enough to be in Gunnedah last week, the
familiar atmosphere ...
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University students provide insights on agriculture’s future and the role of leadership in maintaining industry momentum
A rewarding aspect of the work I do is the opportunity it
offers to speak to different groups around the country, engaging with people
from all backgrounds on the agricultural industry, and the issues we must
address if we’re to continue on our current trajectory globally. Late last
month I travelled to Armidale to speak to University of New England students as
part of their annual Farming Futures ...
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Clear communication with consumers needed as supply chains struggle under recent challenges
There is no doubt Australian agriculture is kicking some big goals at
present and optimism is high across the industry. Commodity prices remain
strong and weather conditions favourable for many, while reports on machinery
sales show record-breaking trends – the Tractor and Machinery Association revealed
last week that many dealers reported 2021 was their best year ever tractor ...
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Biosecurity is everyone’s business if Australia is to retain its ‘clean’ record on pests and disease
Any Australian
who likes to pack their bags for overseas adventures would have thought more
than once: wouldn’t it be nice if we were a little closer to some of our more
far-flung neighbours. It’s true that the plane trip to some of our more desired
destinations is an adventure in itself – before you even consider the expense –
but our unique location in the world also presents some unique ...
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Tourism on road to recovery but labouring under strain of job uptake
There was a story last week about the current delays for
people applying for and renewing passports, as international travel starts to
wind back up and many of us are busy planning for a future trip abroad. While
the current lengthy wait for passports would be incredibly frustrating if your
departure date was looming and you still didn’t have the documentation you
needed, it is pleasing to see our ...
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Growing our regions the goal, but need a clear roadmap to ensure a smooth transition
Rain has been an ongoing theme of 2022 for vast areas of
NSW, and it continues to fall as communities around the state, devastated by a
series of catastrophic flood events in the past 18 months, carry on with the
task of rebuilding critical community infrastructure, businesses, homes and
lives. Our regions have borne the brunt of a series of natural
disasters in recent times – drought, ...
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Agriculture labouring under challenges of finding suitable workforce
Workforce challenges are plaguing a raft of Australian
industries currently, with employers, both small and large, across the country reporting
job ads are attracting few applications – or no response at all in many cases.
Those businesses that suffered the most under COVID-19 restrictions are now
faced with workforce shortages impacting their ability to return to
pre-pandemic business ...
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